Uyen’s Chair

August 14 2016 11:11 AM

Cerebral Palsy (CP)

TOM: Tikkun Olam Makers

A specialized wheelchair for children with disabilities.

Phuong Uyen is beautiful little 4-year old girl with severe cerebral palsy living in rural Vietnam. Her limbs are very weak and she’s unable to move. She can’t control her head and neck which causes scoliosis. She can’t sit, self feed, or walk. She has to completely depend on her mother and grandmother. Uyen’s family came to the TOM community looking for a chair that would be suitable to support her spine, adjust its size (height, width) for her growth, be flexible for different usage, and be made from a material that would provide good air circulation for extended sitting. A wheelchair costs $2000 on average and must be replaced every two years, the family currently only earns $300 a month. Uyen's team of Makers designed a special wheelchair that can support her body and expand as she grows.